$1.73 million expansion planned at ATU-Ozark Campus

A $1.73 million student center is planned for the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus to respond to the growing student population.

Renovations to the Alvin F. Vest Student Center are expected to begin this summer and the Alvin F. Vest Student Union will open by May 2011. The existing building is 5,250 square feet, but ATU-Ozark officials have yet to sign off on final plans and aren’t sure of how many square feet will be added. The new space will house the library, a computer lab, bookstore, a food service and gathering space for students.

The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees approved the bond issue April 15, and the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the bond issue April 30, according to an ATU-Ozark statement.

“The purpose of this renovation is to enhance the student’s college experience. It will create additional space on campus for students where they can study, use a computer lab and relax. We are especially pleased to be able to offer a new food service option so students can stay on campus for meals. Overall this is a wonderful addition to the Ozark Campus,” Chief Fiscal Officer Sandra Cheffer said in a statement.

Spring 2010 enrollment at the Ozark campus of Arkansas Tech University reached 1,213, an impressive increase of 53.3% compared to spring 2009. What’s more, the spring 2008 enrollment of 791 was up 18% over the spring 2007 number. Enrollment was below 300 in 2004.

The Vest facility will be the second large addition to the Franklin County university campus within the past two years. ATU-Ozark completed a 12,000-square-foot student services center in August 2009 that cost about $2.7 million.